Obituaries

Dorothy Laverne McCleskey

Dorothy Laverne McCleskey was born on July 17, 1921. After a life filled with love and laughter with many friends and family, God called her home to live with him. On November 1, 2011 Dorothy closed her eyes and with angel’s wings was passed into the loving arms of Jesus.

Dorothy grew up on a small farm near Lamoure, North Dakota as one of 14 brothers and sisters. She didn’t like life on the farm very much at the time, but said she really learned to appreciate it later in life, and it was probably from those early days there that she learned the incredible work ethic that would be with her all of her life. Too beautiful and adventurous to stay on the farm long, Dorothy, or Dot as she was better know, left and settled in the Seattle, Washington area. She was briefly married to Charles Hampton and had her first child, Sandra, in 1945. In 1950 she married Edward Torre and had two children, Toni and Michael born in 1951 and 1952. Her husband Edward died in 1965. In 1971 Dot met and married her soul mate and best friend forever, Jim McCleskey. Dot and Jim moved to New Orleans and then Mississippi for Jim’s work. When Jim retired in 1988 they chose Lake Cushman as the place to build their home where they would live the rest of their lives. They had a wonderful life there with friends and neighbors stopping by and family staying over. Dotty remained very close to her children throughout her life and had the joy of watching them grow and have their own families. She loved being home visiting with friends and family, going shopping (especially for shoes) and she cherished her animals. Dot was truly a very special lady, wife, and mother. She had an incredible spirit and determination. She was loved by all for her warmth, kindness and amazing sense of humor. She will be missed and loved forever.

Dot is survived by her two daughters and son: Sandee Torre, Toni Nicholes, and Michael Torre, 8 grandchildren: Edward Rodriguez, Pam Simpson, Erika Wheeler, Lisa Sanford, Tory Vetter, Krissy Nicholes, and Sean and Dylan Torre, and 13 great-grandchildren. Dot was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 2008.

Dorothy was baptized into Christ on July 4, 2010.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2011 from 10 until 3 at McComb Funeral Home, Shelton, WA with a celebration of life to follow at her residence.